With the onset of Covid-19 many businesses have had to pivot to a remote work model. This has resulted in thousands of new opportunities for digital nomads around the world. Now that we’re not tied to a desk and a world that will hopefully soon open up to remote tourism, here are a few of our favourite places to live as a digital nomad in 2021

Portugal

Despite Portugal being in sunny Western Europe, it remains one of the most affordable countries in the region. Affordable accomodations, trendy cafe’s and a beautiful coastline make Portugal an ideal place to call home

Lisbon

Ask anyone who’s been to Lisbon and they’ll immediately beam with excitement ready to tell you why you it’s one of their favourite places in the world. 

Cost of Living: $1300/month (small 1 bedroom apartment)

Internet Speed: 26mbps

Favourite cafe to work from: Fauna & Flora

Porto

Lisbon’s gritty neighbour in the north, Porto is paradise for nomads who love art, architecture, wine and really great food. So basically everyone

Cost of Living: $1100/month (small 1 bedroom apartment)

Internet Speed: 28 mbps

Favourite cafe to work from: Spirito

Lagos

If you’re like me and being by the water is one of your must-haves when choosing where to live, then Lagos is the place to be

Cost of Living: $1400/month (small 1 bedroom apartment with pool and walking distance to beach)

Internet speed: 26mbps

Favourite cafe to work from: Abigails

Bali

Another country with many cities you can easily call home. Friendly locals, cafe’s galore, stunning beaches and an easy country to maintain a healthy work life balance.

Canggu

For many years, Canggu has been one of the top places to live as a digital nomad. Full of trendy cafe’s, inexpensive accommodations, even beach clubs to call your office

Cost of Living: $1100 (2 bedroom villa with pool, within 5 minutes from the beach_

Internet Speed: 19mbps

Favourite Cafe: Coffee & Oven and Nook

Ubud

Located just over an hour inland from Canggu, it could not be more different. Quickly gaining in popularity among digital nomads, it’s easy to see why. Home to lush jungles, pool clubs (no beaches here) and some of the best coffee shops on the island.

Cost of living: $1100 (2 bedroom villa with pool, walking distance from Art Market)

Internet Speed: 15mbps

Favourite Cafe: Seniman Coffee

Uluwatu

Home to some of the best beaches on the Island, Uluwatu is perfect if you’re looking to live a more quiet relaxed lifestyle, Uluwatu may be a great place to base yourselves. Internet speed can be an issue, but there are many cafes with a fast connection

Cost of Living: $1300 (1 bedroom villa with pool, 10 minute walk to Padang Padang beach)

Internet speed: 9mbps

Favourite Cafe: Gooseberry Cafe

Mexico

Often given a bad reputation in the, Mexico has everything a digital nomad is looking for. Coworking communities? Check. Low cost of living? Check. Tacos? Check. While safety can be an issue in parts of the country, for the most part common sense will be your best defence. 

Playa del Carmen and Isla Holbox

Playa del Carmen is likely the hub for digital nomads in Mexico. Here you’ll find plenty of coworking spaces, digital nomad communities and social groups as well as many cafe’s with reliable wifi. Looking for something off the beaten path? Isla Holbox is a small island paradise two hours from Playa del Carmen. So off the beaten path, there are no roads, no cars and miles of pristine white sand beaches.

Cost of Living: $800/month (1 bedroom beachfront apartment with rooftop pool)

Internet speed: 9mbps

Favourite Cafe: Marley Coffee and Ah Cacao

Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende

Mexico City is one of the most vibrant and interesting cities in the world. For a digital nomad, it is a city of convenience. Easy accessible transit, city markets, cafe’s aplenty, and an art scene second to none. Looking for something a bit less hectic? San Miguel de Allende is a charming city just north of Mexico City full of local charm, great food, and a community full of expats

Cost of Living: $800/month (1 bedroom apartment in Roma neighbourhood with pool)

Internet Speed: 18mbps

Favourite Cafe: Blend Station

Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita

If being by the beach is a deal breaker for you, but you’re looking for something fun but with less of a “spring break” feel, then Puerto Vallarta will be for you. Looking for something even slower? We loved the sleepy surf town of Sayulita. Full of charm, good vibes and fast internet

Cost of living: $1300/month apartment within walking distance to the beach 

Internet speed: 22mbps

Favourite Cafe: Yah Yah Sayulita

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thailand has long been a favourite country for digital nomads, question is how do you choose where to base yourself. For us there’s just something special about the Golden Triangle in Northern Thailand. While Chiang Mai is a hub for digital nomads with many co-working spaces to choose from, don’t rule out the neighbouring cities of Pai and Chiang Rai.

Cost of Living: $800/month (1 bedroom apartment just outside the city centre with pool)

Internet speed: 22mbps

Favourite Cafe: My Secret Cafe in Town (yes that’s the actual name)

Chamonix, France

France doesn’t often make many top lists for digital nomads because it’s definitely not the most cost effective option. However for ski lovers, Chamonix may one of our favourite options. A small town at the base of Mont Blanc, offers many inexpensive places to stay and cozy ski chalets to camp out in for the day. It’s also home to a very large expat community

Cost of living: $1000/month (1 bedroom, small apartment 2 min from Mont Blanc)

Internet Speed: 27mbps

Favourite Cafe: Natifs Cafe

Istanbul, Turkey

One of our favourite cities in the world! Many are turned away by the social unrest in the media but it remains one of the most interesting and affordable cities anywhere in the world and a place we felt safe as solo travellers. The food is incredible, the history is inspiring, the coffee is strong, and the views from the harbour can reenergize your soul

Cost of living: $800/month (1 bedroom, small apartment in city centre)

Internet Speed: 10mbps

Favourite Cafe: Federal Cafe

Cape Town, South Africa

This is our top pick for digital nomads who need to be around nature and good hiking trails. Cape Town simply cannot be beat. Join one of the many hiking groups to hike up Table Mountain or head down to the beach to swim with penguins and when you’re done head to one of the many amazing restaurants and cafe’s to refuel

Cost of Living: $600/month (1 bedroom apartment in city centre with rooftop pool and view of the ocean and Table Mountain)

Internet speed: 10mbps

Favourite Cafe: Bootlegger Coffee and Yours Truly

Medellin, Colombia

One of the most underrated cities in one of the most underrated countries in South America, Medellin makes for a perfect home base. Affordable, temperate, fun and home to a large community of expats from around the world.

Cost of Living: $800/month (1 bedroom apartment, with pool)

Internet speed: 100mbps

Favourite Cafe: Pergamino Cafe

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Romantic and exciting, inspiring and inviting, Buenos Aires may not be the first city that comes to mind when thinking of digital nomads. We would be willing to bet that that will change in the coming years. If you’re up for an adventure (Buenos Aires is also a great base for adventures in the Andes and Antarctica), love a big city at small city prices and thrive on history and culture, Buenos Aires should be at the top of your list

Cost of living: $900/month (1 bedroom apartment in nearby suburb)

Internet speed: 16mbps

Favourite Cafe: Padre Coffee

Is there another city that’s the top of your list? Check out more information for the best places to live as a digital nomad here